Lisandro Martinez’s latest injury setback is something that was not uncommon for Manchester United managers, both past and present, to witness at Old Trafford.
Manchester United fans’ worst realities came to fruition after Lisandro Martinez was forced off in the World Cup final for Argentina against Spain on Sunday evening.
Martinez had started the match at the MetLife Stadium before the 28-year-old United defender was replaced by Nicolas Otamendi before the half-time whistle.
Here is how United managers, ranging from Erik ten Hag to Ruben Amorim to Michael Carrick, have reacted to Martinez’s injuries at Old Trafford in the past.
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3. Erik ten Hag (2022-2024)
Lisandro Martinez linked up with ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and the 2022 World Cup winner was a key United first-team player for him after his move.
The Argentina international suffered a serious knee injury against West Ham in 2024 and former Man Utd boss Ten Hag backed Martinez to bounce back in a big way.
“It is a big setback for Licha, he is very disappointed about it, but he is a fighter,” Ten Hag said at the time, as per Football365.
“He will be back stronger.”
2. Ruben Amorim (2024-2025)
Much like with Ten Hag, Martinez retained an influential role in the Red Devils squad under the 14-month reign of Ruben Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2024.
Amorim could not hold back his true feelings on not having Martinez as an available pick in the starting XI after the defender was sidelined with a major knee injury.
“We miss [him] a lot, Licha, especially in this moment, we miss his aggression in everything he does, we miss him,” he said in 2025, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“But he’s always there in every meeting. In training, he sometimes finishes his and stays to watch the training. We need Licha in this team.”
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1. Michael Carrick (2026 to present)
The trend of Martinez’s Man Utd injury record extended under the initial interim reign of Michael Carrick, who had relied on the ex-Ajax star as one of his key picks.
However, a calf injury to Martinez back in February showed that United legend Carrick could not rush Martinez back to the pitch from his injury setback.
“It’s just that call we make, he won’t be pushed into anything,” he said in April, as per Goal.
“It’s important the boys are ready, as important as the next game always is, it’s the bigger picture. That’s a decision we’ll take.
“He’s been back training, back on the grass, but we have to make the right decision and make sure that he’s ready.”
It remains to be seen how much of Man Utd’s pre-season summer tour — if not all of it — that Martinez could now miss due to his setback at the World Cup.
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